Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew and her husband Neil Varcoe have provided an update on a major life project.
The pair are renovating a historic hotel in Carcoar, in the central west region of New South Wales.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Edwina Bartholomew gives update on major project.
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Since announcing the project in 2023, the duo have kept their Instagram followers updated on how things have been going at the property, called Saltash Farm.
In a new post, Varcoe wrote that the property was about eight weeks away from the beginning of its restoration work, with the development application currently under the noses of the local council.
He shared a video in which Bartholomew gave an update and chatted to one of Carcoar’s local builders, who will be involved in the renovation.
“2024, let’s get stuck in,” she begins the video.
“We are not messing around.
“We are clearing the blackberry on the hill and making way for fencing for sheep, and speaking of clearing, every single room in this place is now empty.
“We are ready to go, which means we can start to build.”
Bartholomew then introduced their builder, Aaron Howarth, who was born and bred in Carcoar.
He used to deliver papers to the house in his youth when his grandmother owned the general store.
Bartholomew noted that Howarth loved history and heritage, asking him what he thought of their plans for the building.
“I think it’s incredible,” he said.
“It’s definitely in keeping what was here originally, but putting a nice little spin on it, I think everyone’s going to benefit from it greatly.”
There was one small hiccup, however, as the cameras panned upwards to a gap in the roof.
“Above here is a balcony, probably not very waterproof,” Bartholomew said, looking across at Howarth.
He bluntly replied, “No, it wouldn’t be very waterproof!” before they both burst out laughing.
In the video caption, Varcoe provided a little bit more information about their new builder.
“Aaron is a blue blood Carcoarian — his family have been in town almost since settlement,” he noted.
“They own two of its most beautiful buildings — Enterprise Stores and the mechanics workshop that sit proudly shoulder to shoulder on Belubula Street.
“His grandmother ran Enterprise Stores as a general store for more than 50 years, opening on Christmas morning in case anyone forgot to buy gravy.
“His pop operated the mechanics’ next door, and Aaron delivered milk and papers to two sisters who lived at Saltash when he was a boy.
“If there’s someone more passionate about Carcoar and heritage builds, I’m yet to meet them.”
Varcoe added that it was “hard to keep Aaron off-site” even though they weren’t quite underway yet.
“With the clock ticking for an Autumn 2025 opening, we’re doing everything we can, inside and out, to move the project forward while we nervously wait for a decision from council,” he said.
Followers loved the detailed update.
“It’s just so nice to see it being restored, can’t wait to see the process,” one person wrote.
“My family and I finished the building of our family home two months ago and now in, and it’s just amazing.
“All the best.”
“Can’t wait for the start of this project and, of course, to see the end product,” wrote another.
“Also wonderful that you’re working with local tradies.”
It’s a far cry from the other side of Bartholomew’s life as a presenter on Sunrise, where, on Thursday, she had the chance to interview visiting American pop star Pink.
Posting a snap with Pink to Instagram on Thursday, she noted that they were both wearing similar denim “mum jeans”.
“Just a couple of moms in our mom jeans,” she captioned the picture, using the American spelling for mother.
“@pink on @sunriseon7 this morning.”
Fans loved the photo — and the interview that aired on Sunrise earlier in the day.
“So jelly!” wrote Better Homes and Gardens host Johanna Griggs.
“This is a friendship I can see!!!” said another.
“Literally felt like a couple of cool mums chatting!” a third wrote after watching the interview.
“Such a warm, relaxed interview.”
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